PORT HURON, Mich. (WXYZ) — St. Clair County says 19 rail cars are still inside the St. Clair River international tunnel following a trail derailment inside the tunnel last week.
According to the county, CN crews are working to remove the cars from the international rail tunnel. So far, they have removed five cars from the American side and 17 cars from the Canadian side.
When the trail derailed on Friday morning, 40 cars went off the tracks and spilled 13,700 gallons of sulfuric acid. At the time, the company said the acid was contained to the site of the derailment and posed no danger to public safety.
They are working to drain the liquid and as it accumulates in the sump retention area, draining continues. Air monitoring at the site and around the perimeter continues and shows no danger to public health, public safety, drinking water or water ways.
"Due to varying stages of the wreckage, contents and weight, a plan has to be developed for the removal of each railcar along with the equipment needed to do so," the county said in a press release.
According to the county, there are more than 150 people working on the American site 24 hours a day to resolve the situation. At this time, there is no timeline for completion.
